I met with a friend yesterday who pastors a church. We hadn't seen each other in a few years. He sent a message one night suggesting we get together. So I drove an hour south and he an hour north and we took up space in a restaurant for a bit. There was no earth-shattering news; just the normal chit-chat. But I was thinking the whole time... man, he looks tired.
The pastor at my mom's church announced a few weeks ago that, after being at the church for 19 years, he was done. He has nothing lined up. He just can't do it anymore.
I talked with a former pastor who was in working out this morning, and he informed me that the pastor of the nearest "mega" church to me announced last Sunday that he was done. He was "spent," was the word the pastor used.
I imagine there are plenty more church leaders experiencing the same. Honestly, I cannot imagine the stress they must be under. I mean, how many "normal folks" have experienced unprecedented stress this past year or so? The pandemic, the election, trump-stuff, racial issues... Division and turmoil.
People have become so much less tolerant of opposing views. We can choose our news source based on what we want to hear. Our social media feeds are tailored to what someone has decided we want to see. The isolation most of us have been thrust into has made it that much easier to distance ourselves from those who are different. Where will it end?
I've read several articles on people freaking out that there are now fewer religious people than non-religious. Maybe a bigger issue is going to be what happens if our church leaders can't survive!
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Yeesh. When I talk to pastors, I almost always come away thinking, "There is NO WAY I could do that right now." How can they possibly speak, preach, teach, or whatever you want to say they do, in the cultural climate of america right now?
I remember having people leave my church some fourteen/fifteen years ago because I liked Barack Obama! That seems so far away, and so "nothing" compared to how things are now.
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To be clear, I don't for one second fear that the church is in jeopardy. As I've said for a long time, "We couldn't kill the church if we tried!" Because people/forces have been trying for centuries. God is and always will be sovereign (imho).
Also, I think one thing trumpism has brought about is a clearer differentiation between mere civil religion and true Christianity. I view that as a good thing, as long as you're aware of the difference.
Still...
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As I sat and listened to my young pastor friend yesterday... my mind wandered back to a couple things I contemplated in the past.
First, I forget I used to do leadership coaching. I don't know if I even still have any of the info, but I intended to specialize in coaching small church pastors. I only worked with a few people, but I kind of liked it. It's pretty far removed from my brain at the moment, but what a time for someone who does such! I think there could be a real need.
Also, a close friend used to tell me I should start a retreat center for pastors and spouses (ministry leaders). You know, a place where they could go to rest, be renewed, or simply left alone for a bit. And, honestly, if we had the means, I think that's something Jane and I could do together. In fact, my eyes are getting a bit misty just typing this. I would have no idea where to even begin though...
So, in the end, of course I have no answers. It seems our church leaders are under a great deal of stress - maybe more than most of them have ever been under. I don't know how this will play out in "the church" or society as a whole. I also have no idea what to do... but it's been on my mind a lot lately.
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“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." - Matthew 5:3
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